The Book of Psalms

TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. Hear, O God, my voice, in my meditation, || You keep my life from the fear of an enemy,

Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, || From the tumult of workers of iniquity.

Who sharpened their tongue as a sword, || They directed their arrow—a bitter word.

To shoot the perfect in secret places, || Suddenly they shoot him, and do not fear.

They strengthen an evil thing for themselves, || They recount of the hiding of snares, || They have said, “Who looks at it?”

They search out perverse things, “We perfected a searching search,” || And the inward part of man, and the heart, [are] deep.

And God shoots them [with] an arrow, || Their wounds have been sudden,

And they cause him to stumble, || Their own tongue [is] against them, || Every looker on them flees away.

And all men fear, and declare the work of God, || And they have wisely considered His deed.

The righteous rejoice in YHWH, || And have trusted in Him, || And all the upright of heart boast!

Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;

who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,

to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.

They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?”

They plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!” Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.

Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.

All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!